Jeff Weaver has watched two pulsating Red Sox-Yankees games from the dugout. Today he gets to experience the heated rivalry from the epicenter as he makes his first start against the Bosox in Pinstripes.

If that isn’t enough for the 25-year-old right-hander in his third Yankee start, the Yanks will be trying to stretch their AL East lead to a season-high four games over the Red Sox, who have won eight of the 13 games between the teams.

“I was surprised by how many people stayed after the two-hour delay,” Weaver said of Friday’s 4-2 Red Sox win that preceded yesterday’s 9-8, 11 inning Yankee win. “It’s a situation where I am hoping to fit in instead of making more than it is. You want to be able to enjoy the electricity and not let it turn on you.”

Weaver has shown no signs of fear in his first two Yankee starts against the Blue Jays. However, he has been hit around in both outings thanks to leaving too many pitches in the middle of the plate. He is 1-0 with a 6.92 ERA as Yankee, giving up 15 hits (three homers) in 13 innings.

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Roger Clemens will throw off a mound in Tampa today and test his balky right groin. Clemens threw lightly Friday and vowed to increase the load today. The Yankees aren’t sure they will get Clemens back from the DL on July 29, the first day he is eligible.

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Shane Spencer has no designs on reclaiming a full-time spot in Joe Torre‘s lineup. That wasn’t his gig before Raul Mondesi was acquired and didn’t change after. Yet, Torre has seen enough good things in Spencer’s swing lately that he will start him in left today when Mondesi returns after missing two games.

“I feel okay right now and I am swinging at good pitches,” said Spencer, who had a two-run triple yesterday. He has started the last three games and is 5-for-12 (.417) with three RBIs.

Asked if he could use a hot streak to get back into the mix, Spencer stopped the question by saying, “You have to ask the boss [Torre].”

“I like what I see and he will play [today],” Torre said. “I will rest Rondell [White] today.”

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Steve Karsay knew he had been struggling. He didn’t know the exact numbers, but too many balls were getting hit far too hard. So yesterday’s three innings of scoreless relief were a boost.

“It’s a good stepping stone,” said Karsay, who was the winner and is 5-4. “Hopefully I can carry it over to the next game.”

In his last six outings Karsay worked four innings, gave up nine hits and five earned runs for a hefty 11.25 ERA.